Velocity has a new Managing Director—Linda Bowers

Seattle, WA: The Board of Trustees of Velocity Dance Center (Velocity) is pleased to announce that, after a national search, Linda Bowers has been selected as Velocity’s Managing Director effective June 16, 2014.

“Linda Bowers brings extensive experience in all aspects of not-for-profit leadership, organizational advancement, and development,” said Velocity Board President Andrea Wagner. “Her work as an artist and administrator in the literary arts will help strengthen the base of Velocity’s programs, which are rooted in dance and broadened by educational and multi-disciplinary programs. Most importantly she and Tonya, who has led the organization stalwartly for the past three years, enthusiastically look forward to working together. This partnership will allow Tonya to focus on building and growing Velocity’s successful artistic programs, while Linda further strengthens the infrastructure. Together they will forge a strong foundation for Velocity’s future.”

Bowers brings extensive experience, having worked for not-for-profit organizations and in the public sector throughout her career, including at several arts organizations in the region. Most recently, Bowers served as Executive Director of Seattle Arts & Lectures from 2007-2012. Prior, she was Interim Managing Director of Richard Hugo House, and responsible for fundraising and program direction at Espy Foundation in Oysterville. As the first executive director of Hedgebrook writers’ retreat on Whidbey Island, she developed the organization into a nationally recognized program, serving writers from around the world. She worked in museum education and event planning at the Seattle Art Museum, holds a master’s degree in Art History from The University of Washington, and served as President of the board of the Alliance of Artists’ Communities, the national service organization for the field. She has also worked in lobbying and policymaking at environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club and Friends of the Earth.

As the epicenter of Seattle’s fast-growing contemporary dance scene, Velocity serves hundreds of independent dance artists and thousands of dance lovers. The position of Managing Director is a new one for the organization, which has been led by Executive/Artistic Director Tonya Lockyer since May 2011.

“Finding a collaborative and strategic partner has been a goal of mine and the Velocity board since I was hired in 2011,” said Lockyer. “In the last three years, we’ve grown Velocity to the point organizationally and fiscally, where hiring a Managing Director is not only a priority, it’s now a possibility and a necessity. I’m thrilled to be working with Linda.”